Month: July 2025

Abus Na Kumu, a locally owned catering and food delivery business in Papua New Guinea, is on the cusp of launching its first restaurant in Port Moresby, thanks to support from the Business Link Pacific (BLP) Grant. Before receiving assistance, the business operated from a small home kitchen with limited resources. With funding accessed through BSP and guided mentorship, Abus Na Kumu invested in commercial equipment and a retail space. The business now boasts increased capacity, stronger financial systems, and growing community impact.

 

Read Richard’s full Q&A session with CEFI.

1.  Can you briefly state the nature of your business

Abus Na Kumu is a locally owned catering and food delivery business based in Papua New Guinea. We specialize in providing high-quality, affordable, and culturally inspired meals for individuals, organizations, and events. Our services include daily lunch deliveries, event catering, and takeaway meals. We are currently preparing to open our first dine-in restaurant in Port Moresby by the end of July 2025.

 

2.  What was the state of your business prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant

Prior to receiving assistance, we operated out of a home kitchen with very limited resources. While there was growing demand, we lacked the capital and infrastructure to scale up, expand our customer base, or meet larger catering requests.

 

3.  In what ways did the BLP Business support Grant/Subsidy/Small Grant Facility/Concessional Loan assist your business to grow

The BLP support enabled us to access critical funding through BSP, which allowed us to invest in commercial kitchen equipment, secure a retail space, and prepare for the opening of our first restaurant. The mentorship and business training we received helped strengthen our planning, budgeting, and operational capabilities.

 

4.  What are some of the positive outcomes following the assistance by BLP

– Completion of fit-out for our new restaurant space (scheduled to open end of July 2025) – Improved operational capacity and ability to service larger contracts – Increased community engagement and brand recognition – Strengthened financial systems and business planning – Positioned the business for sustainable growth and job creation

 

5.  After receiving the BLP Service (Business support grant, Small Grant Facility, Subsidy, Concessional Loan) do you still face some challenges in your business operations

Yes, some challenges remain, such as: – High logistics and operational costs in sourcing and delivery – Limited access to reliable cold storage and transport – Cash flow management during periods of expansion – Need for continuous staff development and digital system integration

 

6.  How is your business helping / benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans

We prioritize hiring local talent, particularly youth and women, and provide them with training and employment. We also support local farmers by sourcing produce locally. Our catering and meal delivery services make affordable, nutritious food accessible to working-class Papua New Guineans.

 

7.  How do you see your business in the next five (5) years from now?

We envision Abus Na Kumu growing into a household name in PNG’s food industry. In five years, we aim to have multiple restaurant outlets, a robust catering arm servicing corporate and community events, and a digital ordering and delivery platform. Our long-term goal is to continue creating employment opportunities, supporting local producers, and showcasing PNG cuisine nationally and regionally.

 

 

Richard Mark, the founder of Abus Na Kumu, has shared a moving testimony on how his small food business has grown from operating by the roadside to preparing to launch a full-fledged restaurant  all made possible through the support of Business Link Pacific (BLP).

Richard, a grant recipient, said his journey began with a dream that seemed almost impossible without financial backing. “From the roadside to a restaurant, the dream is there. He added, “Big raps to Business Link Pacific, who not only believe in us  they trust us. And in any partnership, trust is one of the key ingredients.”

Thanks to funding facilitated by BLP and support from the people of New Zealand, Richard’s dream worth nearly K500, 000.00 is now becoming a reality. He highlighted the transformation the grant has brought, noting, “Without Business Link Pacific, we wouldn’t be able to finance our dream.”

He also spoke of how the programme helped him become “resilient and compliant”, noting the importance of building a strong business foundation. Through BLP, he was connected with Milton Accountants via Fairfax, who have continued to strengthen the financial health of his business.

Today, Abus Na Kumu caters to 50 government agencies and 20 private institutions. “We’re now one of the leading catering businesses in PNG,” Richard said proudly, “and our next goal is opening our restaurant by the end of July.”

He expressed deep gratitude to BLP and the people of New Zealand, encouraging other entrepreneurs to partner with the initiative: “Together, we can realize our dreams.”

Image Caption: Richard Mark

KLG & Co Business Consultants is an accounting and consultancy firm offering a wide range of services including cloud-based bookkeeping, tax planning, loan facilitation, and financial literacy training. With clients across various sectors, from agriculture to mining, KLG & Co supports businesses of all sizes. Founder Kopi Like-Grammon shared that support from Business Link Pacific (BLP) helped the firm build resilience post-COVID, enabling them to streamline operations and attract more SME clients through affordable service subsidies.

 

Read Kopi’s full Q&A session with CEFI.

 

1. Can you briefly state the nature of your business?

KLG & Co Business Consultants is an accounting and business consultancy firm.

We provide business advisory services in the following areas:

• Management Accounting
• Virtual Accounting
• Cloud Book Keeping using Quickbooks and Xero
• Financial Reporting
• Audit Assistance
• General Taxations Services – CIT, PIT, SWT, GST, COC
• Strategic Tax Planning
• Business Continuity Planning
• Loan Facilitation and Cashflow Projections
• Business Registrations with IPA/IRC/Bank Account Opening
• Capacity Building – Financial Literacy Training and Specific Accounting Training for Accounting, Finance, Tax and Other Statutory Compliance Requirements
• Financial Systems

We service a wide range of clients from MSMEs to Corporate entities in various industries such as agriculture, fisheries, construction, consultancy, education, retail, architectural and engineering, hospitality, legal, real estate and mining.

2. What was the state of your business prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant

I would say that we were quietly grinding. I believe our collaboration at BLP has given us credibility and increased confidence in our services.

3. In what ways did the BLP Business support Grant/Subsidy/Small Grant Facility/Concessional Loan assist your business to grow?

 

When we joined BLP as a BASP (Business Advisory Service Provider), it was at the back end of COVID when nothing much was happening. Thanks to BLP, we went through online webinars and training to build resilience. We learnt about Business Continuity Planning and how to adapt.  With BLPs subsidy scheme we have experienced an increase in SME clients as accounting fees became affordable.

4. What are some of the positive outcomes following the assistant by BLP?

We are able to streamline our services and focus on new service offerings such as automated accounting systems using cloud accounting software, loan facilitation and export market services.

Also, the referrals from the Business Link Pacific representatives, Gabriel, Adelle and Ensie have added to an increase of MSMEs to our client base.

 

5. After receiving the BLP Service (Business support grant, Small Grant Facility, Subsidy, Concessional Loan) do you still face some challenges in your business operations

Some of the challenges we have faced with are collating information from clients to attend to their accounting needs. Internet connectivity and constant blackouts are an issue when working on cloud based accounting software.

 

6. How is your business helping / benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans?

 

It’s a ripple effect. One good turn leads to another. When we have assisted our clients set up their businesses or obtain a loan from the bank, it’s a win for everyone. When we improve the way SMEs operate and grow, the SMEs are the ones out there touching the lives of ordinary Papua New Guineans. They provide employment and roll out programs for underprivileged youths or women and farmers who experience a change in their livelihoods.

 

7. How do you see your business in the next five (5) years from now?

We see ourselves evolving from a traditional accounting firm to a modern business suite providing capacity building and embracing technology to create new service offerings. We aim to improve our online presence and hope to employ more staff and expand our services to other parts of the country and e

Kopi-Like Gammon, the owner of KLG & Co Business Consultants, shared how her firm has been playing a vital role in converting small informal businesses into formal, compliant enterprises. Speaking about her experience as a long-standing Business Link Pacific (BLP) advisor since 2019, Kopi described the journey as a worthy course challenging but deeply rewarding.

“We started from scratch, working with first-time business owners and informal vendors who lacked proper financial records,” Kopi said. She explained that many SMEs only realize the importance of compliance when seeking loans or government contracts. “That’s where we come in. No business is too small. Everyone with an idea is a businessperson,” she added.

KLG & Co supports businesses by helping them register with the IPA, obtain TINs, open bank accounts, and set up cloud-based accounting systems such as QuickBooks and Xero. “Your business is safer in the cloud. We trust technology to keep records secure,” she said.

Beyond start-ups, the firm also assists with monthly tax and GST compliance, income tax returns, and even de-registration for businesses that cease to operate. “We encompass the whole business cycle,” Kopi explained.

Working closely with partners like BLP, CEFI, and financial institutions such as Tisa Bank, KLG & Co bridges the gap between informal enterprise and formal opportunity. “We believe in getting things right. SMEs must be compliant to grow,” she emphasized.

Sharing a recent success story, Kopi spoke of a client who now operates a fuel distribution business after starting out as a small service station. “He had the energy and passion to go the extra mile. That’s the drive we want to inspire in every SME.”

“PNG has a brighter future. Today’s SMEs can become tomorrow’s corporate’s and we’re here to help make that happen,” she concluded.

Image Caption: Kopi-Like Grammon

Qweens Collection, led by Founder Benitta Napitalai, is a social enterprise championing handcrafted bilums made by women across Papua New Guinea. With the help of a BLP Business Support Grant, Qweens launched a professional website, boosting visibility, credibility, and sales while connecting rural weavers to global markets. Despite ongoing challenges like the lack of a retail space and limited cash flow, Qweens continues to empower women by creating sustainable livelihoods through traditional craft. With big plans ahead, including expansion and broader impact, the future looks bright.

 

Read Benitta’s full Q&A session with CEFI.

 

1. Can you briefly state the nature of your business

Qweens is a social enterprise that sells handcrafted bilums made by women in Papua New Guinea. The business connects rural weavers to national and international markets, with a mission to preserve the cultural art of bilum making while creating sustainable income opportunities for women.

 

2. What was the state of your business prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant

Prior to the assistance of the BLP Business Grant, Qweens operated on a small scale, primarily selling bilums through social media and pop-up markets. The business had limited resources for expansion, marketing, and product development, and operated from home with minimal infrastructure. Despite a strong mission to empower women weavers, growth was constrained by financial limitations.

 

3. In what ways did the BLP Business support Grant/Subsidy/Small Grant Facility/Concessional Loan assist your business to grow

The BLP Business Support Grant, which subsidized 50% of our website setup costs, played a significant role in helping Qweens grow. It enabled us to establish an online presence, making it easier for customers—both locally and internationally to access and purchase our bilums. The website also enhanced our brand’s visibility, allowed us to showcase our weavers’ stories, and provided a more professional and efficient platform for managing sales, ultimately expanding our market reach and supporting business growth.

 

4. What are some of the positive outcomes following the assistant by BLP

Some of the positive outcomes following the assistance by BLP include:

• Increased Visibility: Our professionally designed website has boosted the visibility of Qweens, attracting more interest from both local and international customers.
• Higher Sales Potential: With an online store, we’re now able to generate sales beyond just pop-up markets and social media.
• Improved Brand Credibility: Having a dedicated website has strengthened our brand image and made Qweens appear more established and trustworthy.
• Empowerment of More Weavers: The increased reach and potential for growth has allowed us to begin engaging more women weavers, helping to expand our social impact.
• Operational Efficiency: The website has streamlined our ordering and communication process, making it easier to manage customer inquiries and orders.

 

5. After receiving the BLP Service (Business support grant, Small Grant Facility, Subsidy, Concessional Loan) do you still face some challenges in your business operations

Yes, despite the support from the BLP Business Support Grant, we still face some challenges in our operations. These include:

• Lack of a Physical Retail Space: While our website has strengthened our online visibility, many customers in PNG especially Port Moresby, prefer to physically see and feel the bilums before making a purchase. Without a retail shop, we’re limited in how we can showcase our products locally and connect with walk-in customers.
• Marketing and Logistics: We are still building capacity in areas like digital marketing, shipping logistics for international orders, and managing customer expectations.
• Cash Flow Constraints: Operating capital is still limited, especially when it comes to scaling operations, purchasing materials in bulk, and compensating weavers fairly and promptly.
• Technology Skills Gap: There’s an ongoing need for upskilling in areas like website management, e-commerce tools, and customer service systems to fully leverage our online presence.

 

6. How is your business helping / benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans

Qweens is helping and benefiting ordinary Papua New Guineans by creating income-generating opportunities for local women, especially rural weavers, through the sale of bilums. By providing a platform for their products, we support financial independence, preserve cultural traditions, and promote local craftsmanship. Additionally, the business raises awareness of PNG’s unique cultural identity while empowering women to support their families and communities through their skills.

 

7. How do you see your business in the next five (5) years from now?

In the next five years, we envision Qweens growing into a well-established brand both locally and internationally, with a physical retail shop, an expanded product line that complements bilums, and a strong online presence. We aim to partner with more weavers across PNG, increasing our social impact by providing consistent income and support to hundreds of women.

 

 

Benitta Napitalai, Founder of Qweens Collection, is on a mission to preserve the traditional skill of bilum-making while empowering women and men from rural communities to earn a livelihood. With the support of Business Link Pacific (BLP), her business has now grown from a grassroots initiative into a thriving e-commerce platform connecting Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage with the global market.

Speaking at the BLP Advisory Meeting in Port Moresby, Ms Napitalai shared the inspiring journey of Qweens Collection, which officially launched in 2022. “We began as a small initiative to market bilums, primarily from Goroka and rural areas,” she said. “Over time, we connected local weavers to national and international markets.”
The turning point came in 2023, when Ms Napitalai partnered with SNS Technology to establish a website that would enhance Qweens Collection’s brand presence and market reach. Through this collaboration, she was introduced to the BLP programme, which provided funding and support for website development, including an integrated e-commerce system.

“BLP helped us go beyond just having a website,” she explained. “They helped us build a platform where customers can browse and purchase directly online. This has not only brought credibility to our brand but has also increased our customer base, especially from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.”

Ms Napitalai expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support. “On behalf of Qweens and the community—mostly women from the Eastern Highlands and my home—we are very thankful. This opportunity has not only given us an online presence but has empowered more women.”

With global interest growing, Qweens Collection stands as a proud example of tradition, innovation, and impact driven by purpose and powered by partnership.

Image Caption: Benitta  Napitalai.

Grade 10 students from Kopkop College, Port Moresby, took a major leap into the world of personal finance during their two-day educational excursion to the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) on 4–5 June 2025.

The highlight of the visit was the moment students opened their very first personal bank accounts an empowering milestone that marked the beginning of their financial journeys.

These new accounts not only provide a safe place to save money but also equip the students with real life financial experience and responsibility.

The enthusiasm was clear during the Q&A session, as students expressed their excitement:

🔹 “I’m really happy to open my first account. I’ll use it to save and buy what I need,” said Ashley Taibus.

🔹 David Kasa shared, “Now I don’t have to use my siblings’ accounts. I have my own Sumatin Account to manage my money.”

🔹 “It feels good and safe. I can save for the future,” added Philany Paia.

🔹 Nicodemus Mosoro said, “This gives me a chance to help my parents by saving for school fees.”

🔹 Wilford Wangi noted, “I think I’ll finally have control over my money.”

🔹 Cornelius Sanigum remarked, “I feel relieved – I’ve been trying to open an account for months!”

🔹 “Now I can budget and save without relying on my parents,” said Kaylah Mareva.

🔹 Nekidoleya Kora simply said, “I’m happy and ready to save!”

These inspiring voices show that financial literacy is not just about numbers it’s about empowerment, confidence, and future planning.

Related Article – https://www.thecefi.org/2025/06/06/media-release-kopkop-college-students-gain-first-hand-financial-literacy-experience-through-cefi-visit/